Ed Johnson (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
Ed Johnson was the founder of Agri Communicators, Inc., the parent company of the Agri Broadcast Network (ABN)
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, who moved network operations from Columbus and merged the network and programming into its Lima, Ohio
cluster. In early 2007 AdVance Broadcast & Communication Ltd, parent company of the Buckeye Ag Radio Network acquired the ABN, reintroduced Johnson's well-known preference for broadcasting "from the farm," and in early 2009 returned broadcast operations to Columbus.
The network evolved out of Johnson's daily reports aired on Columbus radio station WRFD from 1967 to 1972. Leaving the station, he founded the ABN and ran it from his kitchen table in 1972. His weekend television program, Agri Country, aired on 11 television stations across Ohio until its cancellation in 2001 as part of the ABN sale. The program aired over 1,000 episodes over its twenty-year run.
Another staple of the Johnson years was the use of ABN "Stinger." http://www.buckeyeag.com/ABNStinger.mp3 This brief banjo riff was used as a sounder at the beginning of each ABN broadcast. Clear Channel discontinued the use of the stinger after acquiring ABN.
Johnson was honored posthumously for his work by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in 2005 with enshrinement in the NAFB Hall of Fame.
Agri Broadcast Network
The Agri Broadcasting Network was a radio news network in the U.S. state of Ohio. ABN programming was heard on more than 60 radio stations statewide, including the major markets of Canton, Toledo, and Columbus....
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The ABN
Johnson was the founder, president, and CEO of Agri Communicators Inc., which included the Agri Broadcasting Network (ABN Radio), Ohio's Country Journal, a monthly farm newspaper, and the television program AgriCountry. Following Johnson's death in 2001, the family sold the ABN to Clear Channel CommunicationsClear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
, who moved network operations from Columbus and merged the network and programming into its Lima, Ohio
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
cluster. In early 2007 AdVance Broadcast & Communication Ltd, parent company of the Buckeye Ag Radio Network acquired the ABN, reintroduced Johnson's well-known preference for broadcasting "from the farm," and in early 2009 returned broadcast operations to Columbus.
The network evolved out of Johnson's daily reports aired on Columbus radio station WRFD from 1967 to 1972. Leaving the station, he founded the ABN and ran it from his kitchen table in 1972. His weekend television program, Agri Country, aired on 11 television stations across Ohio until its cancellation in 2001 as part of the ABN sale. The program aired over 1,000 episodes over its twenty-year run.
"From the Farm, Good Morning!"
His morning radio show was broadcast from his farm in Ostrander (Delaware County). In 1972, he started the ABN and his daily reports were eventually broadcast to over 72 radio stations across Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia. Known for his infectious enthusiasm and passion for agriculture, Johnson always opened his broadcast with the trademark phrase "From the Farm, Good Morning!", followed by the crow of his legendary rooster sidekick, Abner.Another staple of the Johnson years was the use of ABN "Stinger." http://www.buckeyeag.com/ABNStinger.mp3 This brief banjo riff was used as a sounder at the beginning of each ABN broadcast. Clear Channel discontinued the use of the stinger after acquiring ABN.
Death
Johnson survived a heart attack in the mid-1990s. Dedicated to his work, he was back at the microphone just days after his surgery. Sadly he suffered a massive heart attack in February 2001 and passed on at the age of 63. Marilyn Johnson still resides on the Delaware County farm she and her husband shared.Johnson was honored posthumously for his work by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in 2005 with enshrinement in the NAFB Hall of Fame.
Sources
- Reese Medal and Gerlach Awards Presented at Ohio State http://www.osu.edu/osu/newsrel/Archive/01-10-18_Reese_Medal,_%20Gerlach_Awards_presented.html
- ABN History http://www.buckeyeag.com/hiredhelp.asp
- National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame http://www.nafb.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=27